battling against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "battling against" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is actively fighting or opposing against something else. For example: "The small business owners in the town are battling against the giant corporation, fighting for their rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are battling against history and tradition.

The Guardian - Sport

We are battling against a lot.

The Guardian

The Cardinals, meanwhile, were battling against Schilling.

The New York Times - Sports

Argentina has a long history of battling against high inflation.

The Economist

Mr Castro will be battling against bureaucratic inertia.

Independent

On one front, the military is battling against Hamas.

The New Yorker

"We've been battling against that all season," Bosh said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are battling against the people with the big bucks".

The New York Times

I don't have a clue who I'm battling against.

The New York Times - Sports

Among the firm's wealthier customers, meanwhile, Oracle is battling against a re-invigorated IBM.

The Economist

A lone bidder battling against the reserve paid £3.06 million, a strong price in this context.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "battling against" to convey active opposition or struggle. This phrase is suitable for describing conflicts, challenges, and resistance in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "battling against" when a more direct verb would be stronger. Instead of "The issue is being battled against", consider "We are tackling the issue" for a more active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "battling against" functions as a dynamic descriptor, portraying an entity in active opposition to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples, such as describing a military "battling against" an enemy or a company "battling against" market forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "battling against" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe active resistance or opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. This phrase effectively highlights the effort and struggle involved in overcoming challenges, making it a versatile choice for conveying dynamic opposition. While alternatives like "fighting against" or "combating" exist, "battling against" provides a nuanced emphasis on the ongoing nature of the struggle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fighting against

Emphasizes the active conflict or struggle against something.

combating

Implies a more strategic and organized effort to overcome something.

struggling against

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in opposing something.

contending with

Suggests a process of dealing with difficulties or challenges posed by something.

opposing

Focuses on the act of resisting or disagreeing with something.

resisting

Implies a firm refusal to accept or comply with something.

withstanding

Emphasizes the ability to endure or overcome a force or pressure.

grappling with

Suggests a close and often uncertain struggle with a problem or challenge.

tackling

Implies addressing a problem or challenge directly and decisively.

counteracting

Focuses on neutralizing or diminishing the effects of something.

FAQs

How can I use "battling against" in a sentence?

Use "battling against" to describe active opposition or struggle. For example, "The community is battling against the proposed development" indicates resistance to the project.

What are some alternatives to "battling against"?

Consider using alternatives like "fighting against", "combating", or "struggling against" to express similar meanings.

Is there a difference between "battling against" and "fighting against"?

While both phrases are similar, "battling against" might suggest a more prolonged or strategic conflict, while "fighting against" can imply a more immediate or active engagement.

When is it appropriate to use "battling against" in formal writing?

"Battling against" is appropriate in formal writing to describe resistance or opposition to significant challenges or issues. It effectively conveys a sense of active struggle in contexts like business, politics, or social issues.